
“Remembering Friends” by Karen Knutson
we were innocents
traveling life
common pathways
paved worn with
shared values
inherent diversities
channeled to loyalty
born free in spirit
of commonwealth
not a melting pot
but a mixing bowl
blending proud
colors and creeds
annealed dreams
yield exceptional
tensile strength
making possible
unified purpose
achieving great
civilized things
pushing men to
and through their
potential toward
prominent privilege
obtained of an
empire of intellect
so it once was
so it seems to the
eyes of my memory
visions so real
I can reach back
and touch them
feel every last aspect
of greatness the
pulsing pure essence
amassed with nobility
standing as witness
oath-sworn unto truth
I concede that I very
well could be mistaken
that none of it
ever did happen
my habit of painting
the past is perhaps
foolish labor
of mind over matter
distorted romantic and
stubborn with sentiment
From my book Ephemera
Camelot as legend from days of yore or as metaphor in modern times comes to mind. A thought inspiring poem I much enjoyed, Paul.
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memory seems ever recast with a smile on its face
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Inspiring!
…and oh the memories it recalls for me.
“foolish labor
of mind over matter
distorted romantic and
stubborn with sentiment”
Where would we be without our memories?
I love that last stanza.
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glad you enjoyed it
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Paint the past as you will. It is your canvas
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many thanks
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Yes, you have it right: not a melting`pot but a mixing`bowl . . . Thank you!
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you’d think the obvious would be obvious, but it’s obviously not obvious to everyone
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An “empire of intellect” seems to be or is passion mixed with reason. If only we could have this here and now.
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I like your thoughts
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thank you, your poetry moves me so
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Every time we revisit a memory we change it a little in light of what we now know; becoming wiser about what goes wrong makes the past seem more pleasant.
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well said – thank you
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